Edinburgh brewery launches gluten-free beers

SCOTT REID

What is billing itself as the first entirely gluten-free craft brewery to brew in the UK will launch its first two beers this weekend.

Based in Edinburgh, Bellfield Brewery is now brewing craft beers that are naturally gluten free, all of them certified by Coeliac UK and carrying the “crossed grain” symbol.

The first beers from the brewery include an IPA called Lawless Village named after the area of Portobello where the founders come from. Meanwhile, a traditional pilsner-type beer – Bellfield Bohemian – has been brewed using traditional Noble and Saaz hops. They are due to be rolled out at the Allergy & Free From Show in Glasgow this weekend.

The firm said other beers will follow including a golden ale, a stout and other IPA and lager-style beers.

Bellfield Brewery has also announced a move into its own premises in the Abbeyhill area of the city.

The fit-out of the 2,500 sq ft premises starts this month and is due to be completed by July. It expects to create between five and seven “sustainable, full-time equivalent” jobs in the next three years.

Founded by a group of friends, two of whom have coeliac disease themselves, Bellfield has ambitious plans to secure UK and European distribution and has already had interest from several distributors and from pubs and restaurants across the UK.

Founder Marie Brown said: “We believe there is very significant market opportunity to exploit the sweet spot between the continuing popularity of craft beers and the momentum in the demand for gluten-free food and drink, both in the UK and internationally.

“We’re the first dedicated, gluten-free craft beer brewery in the UK, and our mission is to make great-tasting beers, that just happen to be gluten free. The thing that most coeliacs miss most once they’re diagnosed with the disease is seriously good, tasty beer and we aim to put that right.”